This thread has a good pic.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=81787

 

Wow man, thanks for the offer to fax your info to me. What state are u in?

For now i'm going to put some tape over it on the inside and keep the top up (such nice weather too).

It looks like that seam is streched in the process of putting it up and down.

I couldn't find anything rough that rubed against it but it has a cut none the less.

-Ed

 

Ed,

I'm in California. Just PM me and let me know if you'd like me to fax you the paperwork. I also have a picture of the rip (not in digital form although I can scan it in if you'd like) - its location, size, and shape don't look like the other rips that I've seen posted on this site. What does your rip look like? The one I had was about 1/2" in length, vertical, along the seam on the passenger side, near the bottom (just above where the top disappears beneath the rear quarter panel).

Anyway, for what it's worth, here's what other folks told me while I was getting it fixed. The upholstery shop I spoke with said they've seen a couple of S2000's with premature wear in the top. Their theory is that when the top goes up and down, the two "sides" of the top (i.e. the two canvas pieces that are connected at the seam) are pulled in opposite directions. As this happens, there is also a small piece of metal that rubs the seam area (you can see this metal piece if you go inside the car and look closely behind the seam). Eventually, the combination of the top being forced (albeit very slightly) in opposite directions, and the metal piece making contact with the seam, can cause a split along the seam. The upholstery shop isn't 100% certain that this is what happens, but that's what they postulated after looking at my car and observing how the top goes up and down.

When I spoke with the service manager at the dealer, he mentioned something about it being a design flaw, and said that the damage didn't look like anything I could've done on my own. I believe he also agreed that the metal piece behind the seam may have played a role.

Anyway, so I'm about 90% certain that it was the body shop that ripped my top (I say this because I take care of the top and never noticed a hole before), but it does seem that the upholstery shop and dealer believe there could be a legitimate design problem. So, if you have problems with the dealer, maybe some paperwork from others will lend your complaint a bit more weight - at least it couldn't hurt. I can also scan in the picture of my rip if you'd like to compare the damage. Just let me know.

Take care...

 

Sounds like three different possible causes for the hole in your roof:
1) Seam is opening up (due to stretching).
2) Wear from rubbing (this was the so called "design flaw").
3) Cut.

If your roof has a "cut", it is not the same as the other two, which are possible flaws in the roof itself. A "cut" is caused by someone or something and it is not an issue the dealer is responsible for. Was your car vandalized? All three possible causes were mentioned in your post, but they are all different.

 

Ok, heres my update
On the other side of the car (drivers) I can feel a rough spot on the fabric like it's being worn. That leads me to belive it's definatly not vandlism or anything I did.
Something must be rubbing against that spot on both sides.

On a nice side note, the hole isn't substantial enough where rain gets in, it looks like the top layer of fabric is keeping it out.
I can really see light through the hole though.

The spots in question are about 4-6 inches diagnal away from the top corner of the window. Somone else with an 02 who puts the top down a lot
try feeling around there, see if you notice any rough spots. It should be far enough away from the window corner where it's behind the seat back, but
on the door side. Not directly behind the seat (ie rear window) but next to it. Sit in the passenger side with your feet outside the car, it's in the area
below the actual roof and diagnal from the window corner. (I hope this is clear )

I put the top down in the winter too, maybe that has something to do with it? If it's above 32 the top goes down

My build date was 8/2002 so its a newer top too.

I'm off to the dealership next week (and am paranoid about putting down the top until then) wish me luck.

I do know one thing, I may never own a coupe again. Being stuck with the top up is so much less enjoyable than having it down.

Thanks,
Ed

 

Can you take some PICTURES of this trouble area?

 

I'll try to, I don't have a digi cam though.

-Ed

 

Then it sounds like it may be the same wear/rubbing problem (design flaw) that others have encountered. Hockey already point to the previous primary thread on this, but you may also want to take a look at these other threads to see if yours is the same problem (the first one has additional pictures that you may want to look at and compare to yours):

Cloth top Wearing thru in the BayArea

A hole is forming in my convertable top

The first thread also has links to other threads on this board discussing the resolutions to the problem by their local Honda dealer. So you may also want to take note of those and use the info when talking to your dealer. At least two claim were honored, while another was denied. Good luck. And please keep us all posted what your dealer says. Thanks.

 

Just ducked tape the mofo. Tape solves everything!

 

Check where the top cover clip is. When the top is open and the cover is not installed, the metal tab rubs the top. I noticed this the other day and was wondering if it would make a hole. It looks like it is in the place you describe.